I received a notice (attached for reference) enjoining me to pay, as a thrice-yearly payment based on the estimated tax for [19]73, the sum of 5,490 francs.
But this payment was calculated on the basis of the salary of my ex-wife, Ms. Michele Bernstein, for 1971.
I was divorced from Ms. Bernstein in January 1972.[1] In August 1972, I married Ms. Alice Becker, whose resources are very different from and inferior to those of Ms. Bernstein. Ms. Bernstein, who has changed her place of residence, arrondissement and tax-collection office, will herself henceforth pay the taxes that correspond to her salary. She came to explain the matter to you at the beginning of 1972, and you confirmed to her that I would not have to pay any taxes on the resources of a dissolved marriage.
Thus, I think that I need not pay you the total amount of this tax bill – moreover, I would not be able to do so.
On the other hand, within the requisite time I will send you the statement of my income in 1972 (and that of Ms. Becker, henceforth Alice Debord), and you will of course determine the taxes that follow therefrom and that correspond to the mediocrity of my current resources.
Please accept, Mr. Tax Collector, the assurance of my distinguished sentiments.
Guy Debord[1] Translator: Debord filed for divorce in either 1969 or 1970. On 29 March 1970, he responded to an attempt at marital reconciliation by saying he would not show up, a statement that he repeated on 4 June 1971.
(Published in Guy Debord Correspondance, Vol "0": Septembre 1951 - Juillet 1957: Complete des "lettres retrouvees" et d l'index general des noms cites by Librairie Artheme Fayard, October 2010. Translated from the French by NOT BORED! April 2011.)